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Artist and instructor Marcia Burtt painting a beach scene
at Weekend With the Masters. |
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I can honestly say I've never been to an
event like
American Artist's Weekend With the Masters workshop and conference,
which is currently underway in Southern California. Being around so many
art-minded individuals engaged in their art making--it is a natural high for me!
There is also something affirming about being able to meet and talk with artists
whom I've only known through their work. It allows me--as a student, appreciator,
and editor--to bridge the gap between artwork that I am drawn to and the hands
that make it.
And I'm not alone. When I was on Laguna
Main Beach, I met an older woman from the Midwest who told me that for her,
attending Weekend With the Masters was "an opportunity of a lifetime." A young
student I met at Laguna College of Art and Design told me, "I'm going to be
there all weekend!" From across the country, from art schools and home studios,
of differing ages and backgrounds, the attendees at Weekend With the Masters
really opened my eyes to how a lifelong passion for art links us together.
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Ron Hicks painting a portrait during his DVD
shoot at Laguna College of Art and Design. |
The highlight for me thus far has been
shooting our newest round of instructional DVDs with a talented group of
artists, including Marcia Burtt, Ron Hicks, and C. W. Mundy. Each of these
artists has not only a great personality but also a strong point of view about
making art. It was incredibly fulfilling to capture their approach and
philosophy on video while seeing a painting come to life right in front of me.
When I mention our DVDs to students,
they are really enthused. I think it's because they understand that working
side by side a live instructor in is an exceptional occasion, but being able to
have and keep a little piece of that same mentoring in the form of a DVD is
equally useful. That's the reason Artist Daily and American Artist are committed to providing incredibly constructive
resources like Mastering Portrait Drawing
with Susan Lyon and Mastering Plein Air Painting with Frank Serrano. This kind of
engaging instruction that comes directly from the artist can help you make
gainful strides in your work and allows each of us to develop our own styles
and artistic values after learning from seasoned artists who we respect and
admire.
